Natural latex in primary forms market in Papua New Guinea

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the natural latex market in Papua New Guinea experienced a gradual contraction, with total volume declining from 5.7 thousand tons to 5.5 thousand tons. This overall decrease was punctuated by yearly fluctuations driven primarily by shifts in import and export activity rather than major changes in domestic output.

Domestic production remained largely steady after a one-time reduction in 2020, settling at 5.5 thousand tons annually from 2020 onward. Meanwhile, import volumes saw a temporary surge in 2020–2021, exceeding 60 tons, before falling back to minimal levels. Exports were sporadic, with a notable shipment of 148 tons in 2022 significantly drawing down available supply that year.

By 2023, the market had partly recovered from the low point of 2022, reaching 5.5 thousand tons, though it did not return to the higher level seen at the start of the period. The stability in local production provided a consistent base, while external trade introduced volatility into total market size.

Production natural latex in primary forms in Papua New Guinea

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Papua New Guinea ranked 27th globally in the production of natural latex in primary forms.

Top producers of natural latex in primary forms, 2017-2020

World map of production of natural latex in primary forms, 2017-2020

In 2020, Papua New Guinea produced 5 500 tonnes of natural latex in primary forms, marking a 3.5% decline compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.5%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.2%. The highest growth was observed in 2018, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports natural latex in primary forms from Papua New Guinea

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Papua New Guinea exported 25.4 tonnes of natural latex in primary forms, representing a 42.2% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 86.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -48.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia and Singapore were the primary buyers of natural latex in primary forms from Papua New Guinea, accounting for 100.0% of total exports in volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Papua New Guinea's exports of natural latex in primary forms were valued at 8.8 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 38.5% year-over-year decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 96.6%, equating to an average annual decrease of 67.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Papua New Guinea in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Malaysia was the nearly exclusive buyer of natural latex in primary forms from Papua New Guinea, capturing 95.0% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Papua New Guinea in value, 2017-2020

Imports natural latex in primary forms to Papua New Guinea

Imports in kind, t

Papua New Guinea's imports of natural latex in primary forms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 49.1 tonnes, up by 626.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 9 397.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 356.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017-2020, Australia was the dominant supplier of natural latex in primary forms to Papua New Guinea, holding 96.4% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend over this period. Imports peaked in 2019 at 167.4 thousand US dollars and reached their lowest point in 2017, with a 5.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of natural latex in primary forms to Papua New Guinea amounted to 63.5 thousand US dollars, down by 62.1% year-over-year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 324.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Papua New Guinea in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Australia remained the dominant and nearly sole source for imports of natural latex in primary forms to Papua New Guinea in value terms, with a share of 99.1%.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Papua New Guinea in value, 2017-2020